Moistener for gummed surfaces.



4 O 9 1 am V O N D E T N I T A P m N W O R B T.. 8 5 4 7 7 m N MOISTENER FOR GUMMBD SURFACES.

APPLICATION IILED APR. 18, 1904.

no MODEL.

1' VEN ATTO [VEY UNTTET) STAT S Patented November 8, 1904.

PATENT OTTT-cn.

JOHN D. BROW'VE, OF MADISONVILLE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE W'. LOSH, OF MADISONVILLE, OHIO.

MCISTENER FO Fl GUMMED SURFACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 774,558, dated. NovemberB, 1904.

Application filed April 18,1904- 'Serial No. 203,783- (No model.) i

To all wlw'nt 211 'ntay concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN D. BRowNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Madisonville, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Moisteners for Gummed Surfaces,

&c., of which the following is a Specification.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for conveying and distributing moisture to surfaces by contact, and particularly to moisteners for gummed surfaces, as postagestamps, envelops, and the like.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap, and complete device whereby a predetermined quantity of fluid may be constantly supplied to the contact-surface.

The character and scope of my invention will be clearly understood from descriptions of embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view of the invention, showing its manner of application. Fig. 2 is an under view of the inside of the reservoir, the lower part thereof being removed, showing valve. F 3 is a view of the back of the reservoir shown in Fig. 1, showing provision for attachment of strap that binds reservoir to the hand. Fig. 4 is a detail of the metal portion of the thimble shown in perspective. Fig. 5 is an alternative construction of the base of the thimble, showing a different way of feeding the supply of the fluid. In the drawing it is'inverted. Fig. 6 is an alternative construction, showing a hanging reservoir and brush-moistener.

Coming now to a description of the drawings and the invention they serve to illustrate, A designates the reservoir, and, if made as shown in Fig. 1, A the outer or extended portion, and A the back or flat side. This reservoir is supplied with a screw-cap a or other suitable aperture for recharging. The reservoir is provided with a drainage orifice and tube 2:, located where drainage would be best effected, which, together with the tapered rod Q32, threaded at 0 through the wall of the reservoir and terminatingoutwardly in a thumbscrew 0, forms a needle-valve, whereby the flow of liquid from the reservoir may be regulated to the needs of the user by screwing the rod o in or out to a closer or more distant position with regard to the inner end of the tube n. The rod o is steadied and held in correct position by a support or bracket A suitable reservoir is held to the back of the hand or other desired position by an elastic band or strap B or the like, attached to the reservoir,as at 7).

As the water or otherfiuid flows from the reservoir it enters,.preferably, a flexible tube O and through it is conveyed to any member suitable for moistening the surface which is to be treated. This member (designated as D) may be a thimble, as in Fig. 1, consisting of or covered with any suitable absorbent material D, or, as in Fig. 6, a brush D with which connects the tube O from the reservoir A" If a thimble is used, a cheap and convenient form is shown in part in Fig. 4, which consists of a metal band D preferably of or coated with a non-corrosive substance, shaped generally to the end of the finger, open down one side, so as to adapt itself to fingers of different size, and having attached rigidly at its base and on the outer side thereof a tube (Z, with which the flexible tube connects. This attached tube may be soldered or otherwiseheld in place at convenient points, as a: and 1 but is cut obliquely, and this open oblique end is placed parallel to and nearly in contact with the interior of the metal portion -D of the thimble D. Then when the absorbent outer coating D and top end of the thimble is put in place the water flows out and contacts with a considerable portion of the surface, and absorption immediately begins. Oapillary attraction, as well as the force of the Water falling through the tube O, insures a steady feed thereof to the surface designed to contact with the one to be moistened. 1

In Fig. 5 I show a perforated ring-tube and attendant supply-tube (Z inverted. Such a ring R is designed as an alternative construction and may be attached to and form the base of the part I) of the thimble.

The operation of my invention is as follows: Fill the reservoir with water or other fluid,

adjust reservoir to position for use,and needle- 3 When the ap- 1 valve to provide needed flow. plying or contact member 1) is sufficiently Wet, pass it across the surface to be moistened in the manner most convenient for the charactor of the surface being treated. As there is no dipping of the member D into liquid and as the flow may be accurately regulated, all surfaces or parts thereof may be equally moistened.

1 claim as my invention and desire to secure 1 by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In a moistening device for gummedsurfaces, the combination with a reservoir and means for attaching it to the hand, said reser voir having an inlet and outlet, of a valve controlling said outlet, a thimble fitting the finger and including a rigid member and an absorbent covering therefor, and a conducting-tube connecting the outlet of the reservoir with the thimble.

2. In a moistening device for gummed surfaces, the combination with a reservoir and means for attaching it to the hand, said reservoir having a filling-opening and an outlet, of a thimble adapted to fit the finger and comprising an inner split band and an absorbent covering therefor, and conducting means confluid therefrom, a discharge-tube extending from the reservoir, and fluid distributing means attachable to the finger of the hand.

a. In a device of the character described and in combination with fluid conducting means. a thimble adapted to fit the finger and comprising a split tube and an outer absorbent covering therefor to which covering the fluid is conducted.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN D. BROVVNE.

\Vitnesses:

(Jr-ms. HERBERT Jones, JosEPI-I R. GARDNER. 

